Common Sense Media Review
Epic, compelling, and violent anime classic.
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Princess Mononoke
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a visually stunning and thought-provoking piece of art that presents a bold narrative about the struggle between humanity and nature, though it is significantly more violent than other works from the same director. While some recommend it for children aged 10 and up due to its intense scenes, others caution against showing it to younger or more sensitive viewers due to its graphic violence and themes.
- visual storytelling
- environmental themes
- violence concerns
- age suitability
- complex characters
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 117 kid reviews
Kids say this film is visually stunning and features strong messages about nature and humanity but is marked by intense violence and graphic images, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While many appreciate the complex characters and themes, they also caution that the level of gore, including dismemberment and bloodshed, is significantly higher than in other family-friendly films by the same studio.
- violence concerns
- strong messages
- age recommendations
- stunning animation
- complex characters
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
PRINCESS MONONOKE begins in 15th century Japan, as Ashitaka (voiced by Yōji Matsuda in the original version and Billy Crudup in the English dub), a young prince from a remote tribe, is cursed by a dying boar god from the forest region of western Japan. His journey to the source of the curse takes him to Iron Town. There, Lady Eboshi (Yūko Tanaka/Minnie Driver) runs an operation that smelts ore taken from the surrounding mountains once dominated by wolves and boars. Ashitaka is drawn to San (Yuriko Ishida/Claire Danes), a girl raised by wolves. Together they work to try to stop Lady Eboshi and the corrupt monk Jigo (Kaoru Kobayashi/Billy Bob Thornton) from waging war on the animals.
Is It Any Good?
This film is a masterwork of animated storytelling from esteemed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Charting an epic battle of humans versus gods in old Japan, Princess Mononoke is filled with adventure and beauty. It boasts the scope and grandeur of a live-action historical epic yet also has the fantastic elements of animation. These elements, in the form of talking animals and a magical forest spirit, are treated with utmost realism. The animals debate their plight with dead seriousness and attack humans in murderous rage. They're nothing like the talking animals in Disney features.
The English dub features several actors well-known to British and American audiences, mixing accents from Lady Eboshi's British lilt to the monk Jigo's Southern drawl to San's modern American teenage inflections. Other famous English-language cast members include Gillian Anderson as the wolf god Moro, Jada Pinkett-Smith as Toki, and Keith David as boar god Okkoto.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of violence in Princess Mononoke and in real life. How does the impact of the violence in this movie compare to that of live-action films?
What audience do you think this movie is most likely to appeal to? Why? Who do you think it's intended for?
How does this movie explore the tension between protection of the environment and humankind's consumption of the planet's natural resources?
How do Ashitaka and San demonstrate courage and perseverance? Why is it also important that they have compassion and empathy? How do these traits help them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 29, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : July 20, 2000
- Cast : Akira Nagoya , Yoji Matsuda , Yuriko Ishida
- Director : Hayao Miyazaki
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Miramax
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 133 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : images of violence and gore
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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